Ranchero Music is the Latest Weapon in the Homeland Security Arsenal

Homeland Security hired an ad agency to write and record "Miga Corridos," a CD full of Spanish-language songs about "tragic border crossings" designed to discourage illegal aliens. Here some music here and read more about the CD at Idolator.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Toby Keith: Afghanistan Scene Report

Toby Keith finished up a 15-show USO tour of Afghanistan on Monday. Read about the tour at the American Forces Press Service site or check out Toby's blog about the tour.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

The True Father of Country Rock

Country singer Vern Gosdin died last night at 74. Even though he enjoyed great success as a solo artist in the '70s and '80s, his real contribution came with the Gosdin Brothers in California right before the '60s country-rock explosion. 

With his brother Rex, Vern recorded backing vocals for "Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers," the lost classic 1966 album recorded by Clark right after he left the Byrds. The real breakthrough came with "Sounds of Goodbye," the Gosdin Brothers' album released in 1968 that featured future Byrd Clarence White on guitar. Check out "Hangin' On" above, a song that scraped the bottom of the country chart. 

Read more about Vern Gosdin at CMT. Buy "Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers" at Amazon or iTunes. Buy "Sounds of Goodbye" at Amazon.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Dave Draiman No Longer Disturbed About Hezbollah

Disturbed's Dave Draiman talks to the Department of Defense about the band's current tour and suicide prevention, but somehow gets no followup questions about earlier comments where he suggested the Israeli military should wipe out Hezbollah. (via Department of Defense New Media)

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Son, I Just Don't Think You're Going to Make It

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Jeff Goldblum made his "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" debut last night as Detective Zack Nichols, replacing Chris Noth's epic Mike Logan character. In true L&O fashion, Det. Nichols exposes the hopelessness faced by anyone who wants to grow up to be a rock star. (via Idolator)

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Toby Keith Would Like You to Know He Supports the Commander-in-Chief

"The Commander-in-Chief deserves our respect." Toby Keith had eight years to think about things and now he wants everyone to be Americans first. Read about his appearance at Washington, DC's National Press Club at Great American Country or watch the video at Politico.com.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Heavy Metal Kills Mormon Crickets Dead

Locals in Tuscarora, NV are taking a cue from Operation Just Cause and blaring hard rock music from radio station KHIX to combat their annual invasion of Mormon Crickets. Read about it in the Wall Street Journal.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Bacon Really is Magic

Scientists in the UK claim that bacon cures hangovers. Read about the study in the Telegraph.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Justin Timberlake's Man Crush on LeBron James

Justin Timberlake visits ESPN's "SportsCenter." He sure doesn't look like a man who plans on making a new album anytime soon.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.

Star Trek: The View From Kuwait

"Star Trek" writer and director JJ Abrams and several cast members visited Camp Arifjan in Kuwait on April 11 and showed troops the new movie before its May 1 release. One (anonymous) Army soldier offers a review over at JoBlo.com.

James Barber has written about music and movies for Slate, Blender, Good and AlltheMusicNews.com. He is also a record producer, band manager, music business technology consultant and was an A&R guy at Geffen/DGC Records (back in the 90s when that meant something). He has never been a celebrity chef in Canada, even though he gets a lot of internet fan mail for that guy.